Scholar Claims Dead Sea Scrolls 'Authors' Never Existed

Scholar Claims Dead Sea Scrolls 'Authors' Never Existed

www.time.com

Biblical scholars have long argued that the Dead Sea Scrolls were the work of an ascetic and celibate Jewish community known as the Essenes, which flourished in the 1st century A.D. in the scorching desert canyons near the Dead Sea. Now a prominent Israeli scholar, Rachel Elior, disputes that the Essenes ever existed at all — a claim that has shaken the bedrock of biblical scholarship.

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An interesting read. I go to a Catholic university. Though I myself am not Catholic, I am required to take three Theology courses. We've discussed the Essenes in two of them, and the Dead Sea Scrolls in one, so I can definitely see how big this could be for scholars. Additionally, if it really was true that the Essenes never existed, it would change how scholars read the Dead Sea Scrolls.


It's really too early to make any solid judgments, but I think this would be huge for both Christianity and Judaism if it more evidence was found supporting this.

www.time.com
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Excellent find!

I always wanted to read the dead sea scrolls. Unfortunately, I can't seem to find a copy of the 39-volume set anywhere.

They're available to read online. You just have to google it.

Originally posted by mystiq
They're available to read online. You just have to google it.

Did I forget to mention I am functionally illiterate in the language?

No, you didn't. I'm sorry to hear that, and of course that will make reading a little harder I'd say.